Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas has reminded his team mates not to get carried away with their 3-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday but to prove that they have indeed matured by going on to win major silverware this season.
Fabregas said: “There are very good young players here. We have to make it a great team by winning things.
“It’s still early in the season. After every win it’s easy to say ‘Oh, you are more mature’ and this and that. The time to talk about whether we are better and more mature than before is at the end of the season.
“It’s just one more game, let’s not get carried away.”
However, Fabregas admitted that he was satisfied with the display of character the Gunners showed when up against the tough and uncompromising side put out by City manager Roberto Mancini. The Spanish international himself showed the nerves of steel needed to excel for the rest of the game despite missing a penalty during the game.
He added: “It’s always easy to let your heads go down when you miss a chance or a penalty and feel sorry for yourself.
“But that’s not the way we are and not the way I am. You just keep playing football.
“In that way, we showed great maturity and discipline.”
Fabregas also believes that the Gunners have shown that they can indeed compete against the newly established “Big Three” of the Premier League – City, Manchester United and Chelsea, especially in the wake of a resounding defeat to the latter just weeks before.
The win over City also ended a depressing run of 11 games without a win against the three teams and Fabregas points to that as a positive step forward.
He declared: “It was a very important victory, as we are back on track and it was against a direct rival.
“We are trying to win every game but it’s difficult.
“When sides are at the top, it means they are the best.
“It’s always difficult to play against them but we did well and played some fantastic football. We enjoyed it on the pitch and, hopefully, the fans enjoyed it too.”
Tags: Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas, English Premier League, Manchester City
